Saturday, November 20, 2010

Tropical Traditions Organic Oats - Review and Giveaway!


Is anyone else starting to think about holiday baking yet? I am starting to get in the mood for loads of yummy baked goods. I have a great product to review today that will be so perfect for holiday baking - mine and yours!

Tropical Traditions sent me a bag of their Organic Thick Rolled Whole Grain Oats to play with. I'm a big oatmeal fan, so the first thing I did was make oatmeal. I have a fantastic recipe for oatmeal done in the rice cooker (yeah, really!) - it's so creamy and yummy. I made it with dried cranberries, cinnamon and brown sugar... a very comforting and healthy (well, maybe with a little less brown sugar) breakfast! I bet adding a bit of orange zest or a spoonful of orange juice concentrate instead of the brown sugar would be delish, too... hmm! Next time!

This is a BIG bag. You know the 'standard' bags of oats you can buy at the grocery store (the brand starts with a Q, you know what I mean) - those are 1 kg. This bag is 2.27 kg or a whopping 5 lbs! I've already used 4 cups of the oats and there are loads left for more yummy goodness. And these are certified organic AND whole grain - both things I appreciate. Whole grains are good sources of soluble fiber (good for everyone, especially when you're pregnant... I'll say no more...) and contain more nutrients than those that have had the germ and bran removed. Whole grains are also linked with reductions in risk factors for diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular and coronary disease. So... it's really a no-brainer to choose whole grains over refined grains.

Besides oatmeal, I've made yummy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookies with these oats (which may just override all the healthy goodness of the whole grains, but man, they are good). I used the recipe from Martha Stewart's Cookies: The Very Best Treats to Bake and to Share, and I will say that I'd add another 1/4 to 1/2 a cup of whole wheat flour next time, as they did tend to spread a little more than I expected. I also only used half the called-for nuts and chocolate chips, and substituted cashews for some of the peanuts. I know, I just can't follow a recipe. I like to make my own way in the kitchen! They are definitely delicious, though!

There are also lots of recipes over here - I'm thinking these Oat Cakes look pretty awesome (and easy!).

I know a giant bag of oats is not only a regular staple in my cupboard, but will definitely come in handy for the upcoming holidays. Breakfast for stay-over guests (think oatmeal, muffins, scones, granola), snacks (granola bars) and desserts (crumbles and cookies! Yum!). And here's the best part:

Tropical Traditions has generously offered one of my readers the chance to try the Organic Thick Rolled Whole Grain Oats for free!

The giveaway:
A 5 lb bag of Tropical Traditions Organic Thick Rolled Whole Grain Oats!


How to enter: Head over to Tropical Traditions and let me know one other thing you'd like to try, OR one thing that you learned there. Make sure I've got a way to contact you if you're the winner!

Extra entries (please leave an extra comment for each. If you already do any of these things, leave the comment - you do get the entry for it!):
  • Subscribe via email to the Tropical Traditions newsletter
  • Follow @troptraditions on Twitter (leave your Twitter name!)
  • Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name!)
  • Tweet about this giveaway for ONE entry, this is not a daily! You can use this if you like:
    Win Organic Whole Grain Oats from @TropTraditions at Emily's Latest @emilyisland US/CAN http://bit.ly/bW3NQC 12/6 -great 4 holiday baking!
  • Follow my blog (publicly) – 2 entries, leave 2 comments
  • Add my blog button to your blog– 2 entries, leave 2 comments (please leave a link to your blog)
  • Blog about this giveaway, linking back to this post and to Tropical Traditions – 2 entries, leave 2 comments and please include a link to your post
  • Let me know what you'll be making first with these if you win!
I will be verifying comments so please actually do the things you say you do ☺ If you already do any of these things, it still counts for entries!

Please be sure to include your email address if it’s not public in your blogger profile! Anonymous comments without a way to contact you will be rejected. Canadian or US mailing addresses only, please. Giveaway ends December 6th at 11:59 EST. A winner will be drawn the next day, announced here, in a separate post and emailed!

Prize will be shipped by sponsor. Note for Canadian entrants: Tropical Traditions is not responsible for customs or duties that Canada may charge if you decide to participate in this Tropical Traditions sponsored blog giveaway. (FYI - it's unlikely to have a charge, being well under the $60 that incurs duty charges. There was no extra charge on my shipment, which came to Canada quickly and packaged well.)

107 comments:

  1. I would love to win this, we love oatmeal! I would also love to try their organic dark & swiss chocolate! karasceviour at hotmail dot com

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  2. I subscribe to the tropical traditions newsletter. karasceviour at hotmail dot com

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  3. I follow you via GFC, entry #1. karasceviour at hotmail dot com

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  4. I follow you via GFC, entry #2. karasceviour at hotmail dot com

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  5. I will definately be making oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with this first, as well as oatmeal of course! karasceviour at hotmail dot com

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  6. I have been wanting to try the virgin coconut oil!

    gina.m.maddox@gmail.com

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  7. I follow tropical traditions on twitter @thecravetosave

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  8. blogged 1

    http://tctsgiveawayroundup.blogspot.com/2010/11/win-rolled-oats-from-tropical.html

    gina.m.maddox (at) gmail.com

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  9. blogged 2

    http://tctsgiveawayroundup.blogspot.com/2010/11/win-rolled-oats-from-tropical.html

    gina.m.maddox (at) gmail.com

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  10. I think the first thing I would make is some delicious oatmeal and whole wheat bread :)

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  11. I follow your blog on GFC! 1
    gina.m.maddox (at) gmail.com

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  12. I follow your blog on GFC! 2
    gina.m.maddox (at) gmail.com

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  13. I just signed up to the tropical traditions newsletter

    gina.m.maddox@gmail.com

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  14. I would love to try the Organic Maple Syrup!
    YUM!

    arctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca

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  15. I follow you on Twitter (mom2gmc)

    arctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  16. Tweeted - http://twitter.com/Mom2GMC/statuses/6504189333082112

    arctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca

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  17. I follow your blog publicly (Entry #1)

    arctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  18. I follow your blog publicly (Entry #2)

    arctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have your button at www.beingmom1.blogspot.com (Entry #1)

    arctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have your button at www.beingmom1.blogspot.com (Entry #2)

    arctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca

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  21. My husband has a delicious recipe for his special granola bars. We will definitely be making them first!

    arctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca

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  22. I would like to try the Green Label Virgin coconut oil.

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  23. Checked out Tropical Traditions, and found RECIPES! I love recipes, and the ones here are easy to follow, and have ingredients I usually have on hand. I really like that.

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  24. I subscribe to Tropical Traditions newsletter.

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  25. I follow @troptraditions on Twitter - Teralex4

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  26. I follow you (Emily) on Twitter - Teralex4

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  27. I came over from PriceNetwork.ca!





    tgma2002@netscape.net

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  28. tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/Teralex4/status/7145160265703424

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  29. The first thing I'll make is chocolate chip cookies.

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  30. I would also love to try the raw honey
    kmogilevski at gmail dot com

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  31. Subscribe to TT newsletter with kmogilevski at HOTMAIL
    kmogilevski at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Follow TT on Twitter (kmogilevski)
    kmogilevski at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Follow you on Twitter (kmogilevski)
    kmogilevski at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Tweeted (http://twitter.com/kmogilevski/status/7257783552442368)
    kmogilevski at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Follow you through GFC (katie, kmogilevski) - 1
    kmogilevski at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Follow you through GFC (katie, kmogilevski) - 2
    kmogilevski at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Your button is on my blog, right column (cookingisme.blogspotcom) - 1
    kmogilevski at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Your button is on my blog, right column (cookingisme.blogspot.com) - 2
    kmogilevski at gmail dot com

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  39. I LOVE oatmeal cookies, so that will be the first I bake with the oats. I will add nuts and cranberries.
    kmogilevski at gmail dot com

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  40. I would like to try the tropical trsditions laundry detergent!
    ksceviour@hotmail.com

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  41. Im Subscribed via email to the Tropical Traditions newsletter

    ksceviour@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I follow troptraditions on twitter
    @ksceviour

    ReplyDelete
  43. I follow you on twitter
    @ksceviour

    ReplyDelete
  44. I follow with gfc(1)
    ksceviour@hotmail.com

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  45. I follow with gfc(2)
    ksceviour@hotmail.com

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  46. I will be making oatmeal cookies with this first!! Yumm!

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  47. I would also like to try the organic Chiocciole pasta
    kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Follow Tropical Traditions on twitter (@LaydieAphrodite)
    kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. follow you on twitter (@LaydieAphrodite)
    kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Tweet
    http://twitter.com/LaydieAphrodite/status/7894007766065154
    kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. Follow your blog publicly 1
    kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. Follow you publicly 2
    kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  53. If I win, the first thing I will make is some yummy oatmeal raisin cookies.
    kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I tweeted
    http://twitter.com/ksceviour/status/7936514658926592

    ReplyDelete
  55. I'd also love to try their raw honey.. yum!

    foreversuperstar at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I subscribe to their newsletter (foreversuperstar at hotmail dot com).

    ReplyDelete
  57. I follow TT on twitter. (soapsbysonia)

    ReplyDelete
  58. I follow you on twitter. (soapsbysonia)

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  59. http://twitter.com/SoapsbySonia/status/7941648902258689

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  60. I would eat this oatmeal for breakfast with honey, cinnamon, strawberries and coconut oil! <3

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  61. well i would like to try that coconut oil...at tropical traditions
    donna.chong55@gmail.com

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  62. following you on twitter
    : http://twitter.com/movingforward55

    ReplyDelete
  63. following Tropical Traditons on twitter
    : http://twitter.com/movingforward55

    ReplyDelete
  64. gosh if i win it will be to make oatmeal raisin cookies gluten free style for my beautiful pregnant daughter,then i will give her the bag

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  65. signed up for email from Tropical traditions

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  66. id like their organic maple syrup.

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  67. I subscribe to their newsletters. harleydiven(at)gmail(dot)com

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  68. I'd make oatmeal since it's what i eat most days for breakfast lol

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  69. I would like to try their coconut peanut butter.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

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  70. I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  71. I would make oatmeal raisin cookies first--they are my husband's favorite.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

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  72. the vinegar is next on my list to try!

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  73. i sub to TT's newsletter

    ReplyDelete
  74. i follow TT on twitter where i am godlyhomemaker (no a)

    ReplyDelete
  75. tweeted http://twitter.com/godlyhomemaker/status/8586402010763265

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  76. i'd make oatmeal raisin cookies cuz they are my specialty!

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  77. I'd like to try their coconut vinegar.
    sejotess@yahoo.com

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  78. I subscribe to TT newsletter.
    sejotess@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  79. I would like to try their dish liquid. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.

    dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com

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  80. GFc follower. #1. Thanks

    dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com

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  81. GFC follower #2. Thanks

    dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com

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  82. Mmmmm...they have coconut oil, too!!

    I make lactation cookies - so this is a GREAT heads up for me. Thank you!!

    willow_moonspirit@yahoo.com

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  83. Would love to try their Organic Jasmine Brown Rice...but would be psyched to have this much oatmeal! A friend just got me hooked on homemade granola.

    wolverina401 at gmail dot com

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  84. I'd love to try the coconut water vinegar

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  85. Trop traditions twitter follower @immortalb4

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  86. I tweeted

    http://twitter.com/immortalb4/status/10914096643833856

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  87. I'll be making scones with it first thing!

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  88. I would like to try Virgin Coconut Oil as well as these!!
    cher_theblondeprincess@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  89. Subscribe to their newsletter
    cher_theblondeprincess@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  90. Follow tropical traditions on twitter @cherylcasperson
    cher_theblondeprincess@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  91. I'd like to try the organic dark chocolate.

    kristen_yeh at yahoo dot com

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  92. I would make homemade granola.

    kristen_yeh at yahoo dot com

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  93. What a great site :)
    I'd like to try the organic tomato paste. I think I use that in the kitchen more than anything else!

    jenn_stemple(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  94. I would love to try the coconut oil!

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  95. noweesmom at g mail dot com
    I would make oatmeal cookies!

    ReplyDelete
  96. I tweeted :)
    http://twitter.com/#!/noweesmom/status/11987829533966336

    ReplyDelete
  97. Subscribe via email to the Tropical Traditions newsletter

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  98. Follow @troptraditions on Twitter @matt4melis

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  99. http://twitter.com/matt4melis/status/12002768860483584

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  100. Follow your blog (publicly) -1

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  101. Follow your blog (publicly) -2

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

Hey, why not leave a comment? I'd love to hear what you think. If you're entering a giveaway, be sure to leave your email address if it's not set to public in your profile!